Moses Kuria: Abductions are unacceptable and those summoned must face court

President William Ruto’s Senior Economic Advisor Moses Kuria has called on the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, and all other individuals summoned to court to comply with legal orders.

Speaking on Wednesday, Kuria stressed the importance of accountability, noting that there should be no tolerance for evading legal proceedings.

“Everybody summoned should appear in court, we don’t have that luxury. It is not a pleasant thing to appear in court, but the legal system must be respected,” Kuria said.

His remarks come amid ongoing concerns about the rise in abductions, which have sparked widespread outrage and calls for action.

On Wednesday, the High Court ordered Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin to appear in court on January 27 and explain the whereabouts of the abducted youths or face contempt of court charges.

Kanja and Amin were ordered to attend court on Wednesday but failed to show up. Their lawyer, Paul Nyamodi, told the court that both security chiefs were ready to appear but were diverted by an urgent security matter requiring their attention.

Their summons comes after five individuals who were abducted in December were released on Monday morning. They include; Bernard Kavuli, Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplagat, Peter Muteti, and Billy Mwangi, who are expected to record their statements with the police starting Thursday.

The five were allegedly abducted due to their posts on X (formerly Twitter), where they have been vocal about government issues.

Kuria condemned the abductions as a means of addressing grievances, terming it as an unacceptable and unlawful practice.

“Abductions are not the way to go. I do not know who is doing the abductions, but irrespective of who is responsible, one party holds the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the security, safety, and lives of all citizens — and that is the government I serve,” he said.

The Economic Advisor reiterated the government’s position on the issue, aligning with President William Ruto’s statement that abductions are not part of the government’s policy.

The President, during a recent visit to Homa Bay, declared that such practices must stop, a stance Kuria said he fully supports.

“The President has proclaimed the government’s position on this issue, that abductions are not government policy, and he has said that they should stop. I believe him, and I want to take his word for it,” Kuria said.

Kuria also noted that, since the President’s remarks, he has not heard of any new cases of abductions, suggesting that the government’s stance may be having a deterrent effect.

He emphasised that the government would continue to take responsibility for maintaining law and order, ensuring the safety of all Kenyans.

The call for those summoned to appear in court is seen as part of an effort to ensure justice is served in the ongoing investigations into abductions, with Kuria urging transparency and accountability in the process.